The Alexandria Commission for the Arts and the Office of the Arts announce the four artists who have been selected as finalists for the Charles Hamilton Houston Memorial. The final four emerged from a talented pool of nearly 60 applicants from 23 states who responded to a widely promoted “Call to Artists.” The Memorial will be located at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. The winning artist will be announced in the fall.

The finalists for the Charles Hamilton Houston Memorial are

Team of Jennifer Andrews and Gregg LeFevre, New York, New York

Christopher Erney, Alexandria, Virginia

Team of Robert Firmin and Eugene Daub, Kensington, California

Preston Jackson, Dunlap, Illinois

The artists will have three months to develop a full proposal for the Memorial and present it to the Selection Panel and Stakeholder Advisory Group for their evaluation. Maquettes of the proposals will be on display for public comment for two to four weeks at the Charles Hamilton Houston Recreation Center. The Selection Panel will consider the public comments in making their decision on the winning artist to recommend to the Arts Commission.

Charles Hamilton Houston was a nationally known civil rights leader and NAACP attorney who fought for equality in public education. He became involved with Alexandria in 1941, when a group of concerned citizens petitioned for a high school for African American students and eventually appealed to the NAACP for assistance. Houston took on this challenge and used his knowledge and influence to aid the community in their fight. Their efforts were successful and a new Parker-Gray High School was built in 1950.

A committee of Alexandria residents has been established to raise $300,000, through grants and private donations, for this project. To contribute to the Memorial, contact Alisa Carrel, Director of the Office of the Arts, at alisa.carrel@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5590.